Highland, IL vs New Baden, IL

Highland is moderately more affordable than New Baden, with a 10.1% lower cost of living index. Highland scores 72 compared to 80 for New Baden, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of New Baden can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Highland is $776/month compared to $1,110/month in New Baden — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Highland has cheaper rent, New Baden actually has lower median home values ($160,600 vs $185,800).

Median household income in Highland is $77,886 compared to $77,542 in New Baden (+0.4%). Highland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Highland spend roughly 12% of their income on rent, less than the 17.2% in New Baden.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (57.7°F vs 57.7°F). New Baden receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 43.4" in Highland.